Kidney warns against complacency

Wednesday 17 March 2010 11:34 BST

Declan Kidney

Declan Kidney insists the Triple Crown has lost none of its lustre as Ireland seek a triumphant end to their RBS 6 Nations.

Victory over Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday would see the Irish complete their fifth clean sweep of the home unions in seven years dating back to 2004. They have been the championship's most consistent team this decade with their success leading to suggestions the Triple Crown has been devalued.

But Kidney said: "A genuine sports supporter would never become blase about winning a Triple Crown. Once we start taking things for granted and being blase....just look what happened to the economy."

He added: "The economy took a hit when we were maybe taking things for granted there. We took it for granted, then it was gone.

"The situation of winning a Triple Crown may also be gone in the future. We have a good bunch of players and it would be a terrible shame if we let this opportunity slip though our fingers. Chances like this are rare enough."

Winning the Triple Crown would enable Ireland to bring down the curtain on their four-year stint at Croke Park in triumphant fashion.

The team will relocate to the Aviva Stadium - the refurbished Lansdowne Road - in what Kidney admits will be a difficult farewell.

"It means a huge amount to the players to have been able to play at Croke Park," he said. "Most of our lads coming up through the age groups would have tried most of the codes - hurling, football, soccer.

"Everyone will have taken a good look at finals days when they were growing up. Now we're playing there in front of a full house.

"It's an exceptional stadium, as good as anything around the world. For an amateur organisation to build a stadium like that was a magnificent achievement. To have the use of their facilities over the last four years has been a genuine privilege."